World’s most valuable private coin collection revealed

The Tyrant Collection is to be displayed in a multi-year series of exhibits at the Long Beach Expo

(Beverly Hills, California) November 27, 2017 — The existence of a previously unreported collection of the world’s most famous and valuable ancient, world, and United States rare coins is being revealed for the first time. The Tyrant Collection, which includes a treasured 1937 Edward VIII Proof set, will be publicly displayed over the course of several years through a series of exhibits at upcoming Long Beach Expo conventions.

“For a number of years, the Tyrant collector has been assembling what is undoubtedly the world’s most valuable coin collection in private hands, worth hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Ira Goldberg, president of Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, Inc. in Los Angeles, California, who provided guidance in assembling the Tyrant Collection. “I’m sure collectors will be surprised and delighted as more information is revealed about upcoming displays of this remarkable collection.”

“The focus of the collection is tyrants of every age and culture,” explained the anonymous owner of the Tyrant Collection.

Gold octodrachm of Ptolemy IV.

“Tyrants go by many titles: kings and queens, emperors and empresses, czars and czarinas, dictators, regents, popes, caliphs, sultans, and khans. But what defines them is their absolute power over a territory containing millions of people. Tyrants have been the primary shapers of history for thousands of years. One of the first things tyrants do upon obtaining power is strike coins with their name and likeness, announcing their claim to their territory, and they continue to mint coins to maintain their claim until the day they die or are deposed. Everyday coinage is the primary means by which tyrants notify their subjects and rivals of their tyranny,” the collector said.

“Coins still exist for nearly every tyrant of the last two thousand years who ever ruled a substantial country for more than a few weeks. The objective of the Tyrant Collection is to obtain a coin of every tyrant who ruled every major territory or country, preferably a large gold coin boldly displaying the tyrant’s name, likeness, and titles,” he added.

The Tyrant Collection is divided into sections, one for each of the major civilizations that issued coins for an extended period of time. Civilizations require access to water for irrigation and transportation, so they tend to develop around bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and seas. Each section of the Tyrant Collection is named after the body of water it dominates.

The complete Proof set of Edward VIII.

One section of the Tyrant Collection, “The Tyrants of the Thames,” is the most valuable collection of English coins in private hands. Dozens of major rarities are contained within this collection, but the highlight is the single most valuable English numismatic item: the only complete Proof set of Edward VIII in private hands.

When Edward VIII became king of England, the Royal Mint prepared five Proof sets of the coins bearing his portrait; these were scheduled to be issued in January of 1937. But on December 11, 1936, Edward VIII abdicated his throne to marry the woman he loved. By this act, Edward VIII became the only king of England for whom no coins were issued as money within the United Kingdom.

Gold aureus of Marcus Janius Brutus.

“Gold coins do not rust, tarnish, or decay. A two-thousand-year-old gold coin can look as if it was minted yesterday,” explained the owner of the Tyrant Collection.

“Large portrait coins are works of art commissioned by tyrants who commanded the greatest artists of their realms to render their effigies to last for thousands of years. The artistry is amazing. The few paintings or statues of the most influential and powerful people in history are locked away in museums that the public almost never sees. But here at the Long Beach Expo, you will be able to see thousands of contemporary portraits, from life, of the most famous and powerful figures of history. I had so much fun assembling this collection that I want to share with the public the centuries of art, history, power, and money it comprises,” he stated.

Coin Update is not a retail website. If you wish to buy a coin or banknote, you should contact a reputable dealer. One of our sponsors (see ads at right and top of page) may also have what you’re looking for, so be sure to check out their websites.

Per policy, we do not advise on the value, authenticity, or rarity of readers’ coins and banknotes. For this kind of assistance, you should contact a reputable dealer, preferably one who’s certified by the American Numismatic Association and/or the Professional Numismatists Guild.

Vulgar and/or abusive comments will not be tolerated. Nor will trolls.

Allegations of fraudulent or criminal activity against a named party, when said activity has not been proven in a court of law, will be removed.

Categories

More Recent Articles

The Royal Canadian Mint has launched new collector coins which are in tribute to the comic industry’s most known and loved storylines, the Justice League. Those who make up the super crime-fighting group include: Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, the Green Lantern, the Flash, and more. The League is portrayed in the same way many fans remember them — […]

(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) August 8, 2018 — It will be a Philadelphia “homecoming” at the ANA 2018 World’s Fair of Money for one of the finest known surviving examples of a 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar. It’s also the homecoming for the person exhibiting that historic coin, Silvano DiGenova, President of Tangible Investments, Inc. in Laguna […]

The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers: Q: What is the real story behind “The King of American Coins,” the silver dollars of 1804? A: Proclaimed the “King of American Coins,” the prestigious dollar of 1804 is an impostor. It is known to exist in 15 examples, not a one of […]

The Royal Canadian Mint has launched a new series of coins which cleverly recreate some of the country’s most memorable stamps of the early 20th century relating to national anniversaries or services. The new rectangular-shaped coins, which include a total of three designs, distinctly recreate the look of real postage stamps. Each reverse design is […]

WASHINGTON — The United States Mint will begin accepting orders for the George Washington Presidential Silver Medal (product code S801) and the John Adams Presidential Silver Medal (product code S802) on August 16 at noon Eastern Time (ET). Both medals are priced at $39.95 each. The obverse (heads) of the George Washington Presidential Silver Medal features his portrait as […]

In this second preview article for the various auctions held during the World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia, PA, this month, we will take a look at some of the highlights of U.S. coinage offered by Stack’s Bowers. Spread out over various sessions, we have decided to limit our preview to the coins offered in […]

The Royal Canadian Mint has released the second design which is part of the mega-coin series entitled “Keepers of the Parliament,” and focuses on the exquisite and impressive sculptures that stand at the main entrance to Canada’s stately Peace Tower building. From atop the Centre Block’s arched entryway, Castor canadensis (the North American beaver) extends a uniquely […]

Display will include previously unknown piece Washington — The United States Mint announced today that it will display three of the nation’s 1933 double eagle gold coins in booth 218 at the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia from August 14 to August 18. The display will feature two of the 10 […]

The World’s Fair of Money, held this year in Philadelphia, PA, is considered the major numismatic event in the United States. This week-long happening attracts collectors and dealers from around the world, and with it come a number of auctions held by various auction companies offering thousands of different numismatic items. In this first preview […]

Santa Ana, CA. — Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce that Bruce Smith, a 20-year veteran in numismatics, has joined the company and will be operating out of the firm’s Southern California headquarters. Throughout his career, Mr. Smith has focused on developing portfolios of noteworthy rare coin properties and precious metals for his clients. […]